Camera having an optical finder

ABSTRACT

A camera according to the present invention includes a picture-taking lens unit including a picture-taking optical system having a bending optical system which optically bends incident light and an optical finder unit including a finder optical system having a bending optical system which optically bends incident light. A pre-bending optical system and a post-bending optical system in the bending optical system of the optical finder unit are arranged adjacent to a pre-bending optical system and a post-bending optical system in the bending optical system of the picture-taking lens unit, respectively. The body of the camera is therefore decreased in size.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/292,915, titled “ARRANGEMENT OF BENDING OPTICAL SYSTEMS IN APICTURE TAKING LENS UNIT AND AN OPTICAL FINDER UNIT OF A CAMERA,” (asamended) filed on Nov. 12, 2002, which is based upon and claims thebenefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Applications No.2001-347817, filed Nov. 13, 2001; No. 2001-356365, filed Nov. 21, 2001;No. 2001-356366, filed Nov. 21, 2001; No. 2001-356367, filed Nov. 21,2001; No. 2001-356368, filed Nov. 21, 2001; and No. 2001-356369, filedNov. 21, 2001. The entire contents of each of the foregoing applicationsare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a camera having a picture-takingoptical system and an optical finder including a finder optical systemfavorable for the camera.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is generally desired that cameras, especially electronic cameras bethinned. To achieve a thin electronic camera, it has recently beenproposed that the camera be equipped with a so-called optical-axisbending type picture-taking optical system. This type of picture-takingoptical system is disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.11-196303. As is described in this publication, the picture-takingoptical system includes a reflection plane, on which a picture-takingoptical axis is bent and its direction made coincident with the widthdirection of the camera, thereby reducing thickness of the camera.

Cameras require a finder. The finder aims at observing an image of anobject to be photographed and generally an optical finder is used assuch a finder. Electronic cameras usually include an LCD (liquid crystaldisplay) to allow the image of an object to be observed. In view ofpower savings, however, most electronic cameras are so configured thatan optical finder is used for taking a picture of an object and an LCDis used only for reproducing the picture for observation.

Cameras also require a zoom mechanism. The zoom mechanism is designed tocontinuously vary focal length, usually by moving a zoom lens in thedirection of an optical axis. If a picture-taking optical system is toinclude a zoom mechanism, its corresponding optical finder also needs azoom mechanism. These zoom mechanisms have to be interlocked with eachother. Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publications Nos. 2000-147606 and2001-133850 disclose a camera that is so configured that the zoom ratioof a finder optical system varies with that of a picture taking opticalsystem.

To incorporate an optical-axis bending type picture-taking opticalsystem allows a picture-taking lens unit to be thinned. However, such anoptical-axis bending type picture-taking optical system is not housed ina camera body appropriately depending upon a combination with an opticalfinder. It is thus likely that the camera body will be difficult to thinand downsize.

In cameras with a zoom mechanism, the picture-taking lens unit having apicture-taking optical system and the optical finder unit having afinder optical system both increase in size. Furthermore, aninterlocking mechanism for interlocking the zoom operations of both theunits with high precision has to be provided in order to avoid adifference in zoom ratio between the image pickup optical system and thefinder optical system.

As is evident from the above, there is fear that a camera including botha picture-taking lens unit having an optical-axis bending type opticalsystem and a zoom lens and an optical finder unit having an optical axisbending type optical system and a zoom lens can be neither compacted northinned.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in consideration of the abovesituation and its object is to provide a camera and an optical finderboth having at least the following advantages.

Even though the picture-taking optical system includes a bending opticalsystem and a zoom mechanism and the finder optical system includes abending optical system and a zoom mechanism, the camera body can bethinned and compacted.

The camera and optical finder of the present invention are simple inconfiguration and easy to manufacture.

To attain the above object, the camera according to the presentinvention has the following characteristic configuration. Othercharacteristic configurations will be clarified in the Embodiment later.

A camera according to the present invention comprises a picture-takinglens unit including a picture-taking optical system having a bendingoptical system which optically bends incident light and an opticalfinder unit including a finder optical system having a bending opticalsystem which optically bends incident light, wherein a pre-bendingoptical system and a post-bending optical system in the bending opticalsystem of the optical finder unit are arranged adjacent to a pre-bendingoptical system and a post-bending optical system in the bending opticalsystem of the picture-taking lens unit, respectively.

In the camera described above, both the picture-taking lens unit and theoptical finder unit are assembled into one unit such that thepre-bending optical systems correspond to each other and thepost-bending optical systems correspond to each other. Therefore, thebody of the camera comprising the picture-taking lens unit including thebending optical system and the optical finder unit including the bendingoptical system can be made thin and compact properly.

A camera according to the present invention comprises a picture-takinglens unit including a picture-taking optical system having a bendingoptical system which optically bends incident light and an opticalfinder unit including a finder optical system having a bending opticalsystem which optically bends incident light, wherein the picture-takinglens unit has such an outside shape that a length thereof in a directionparallel to an optical axis of the pre-bending optical system in thebending optical system is shorter than a length thereof in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis of the pre-bending optical system, theoptical finder unit has such an outside shape that a length thereof in adirection parallel to an optical axis of the pre-bending optical systemin the bending optical system and a length thereof in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis of the pre-bending optical system areapproximated to the lengths in the picture-taking lens unit,respectively, and the picture-taking lens unit and the optical finderunit are arranged close to each other such that a pre-bending opticalsystem and a post-bending optical system of the bending optical systemin the finder optical system are arranged adjacent to a pre-bendingoptical system and a post-bending optical system of the bending opticalsystem in the picture-taking optical system, respectively.

In the camera described above, the picture-taking lens unit and opticalfinder unit have similar shapes and dimensions and are arranged close toeach other. The camera, which is equipped with an optical finder havingbending optical systems, can be made compact.

A camera according to the present invention comprises a picture-takinglens unit including a picture-taking optical system having a bendingoptical system which optically bends incident light and a picture-takingzoom lens provided movably in a direction of an optical axis and anoptical finder unit including a finder optical system having a bendingoptical system which optically bends incident light and an observationzoom lens provided movably in a direction of an optical axis, wherein apre-bending optical system and a post-bending optical system in thebending optical system of the optical finder unit are arranged adjacentto a pre-bending optical system and a post-bending optical system in thebending optical system of the picture-taking lens unit, respectively.

In the camera described above, the pre-bending optical systems of thepicture-taking lens unit and the pre-bending optical system of theoptical finder unit are arranged adjacent to each other, as are thepost-bending optical systems thereof. No wasted space is thereforedifficult to create at the time of assembly of both the units, and thecamera as a whole can be made thin and compact. This arrangementcontributes to a downsizing of the camera including the bending opticalsystems and the zoom lenses.

A camera according to the present invention comprises a camera body, afirst zoom lens moving mechanism which moves a picture-taking zoom lensof a picture-taking optical system in the camera body in the directionof the optical axis of the picture-taking optical system, a second zoomlens moving mechanism which moves an observation zoom lens of a finderoptical system in the camera body in the direction of the optical axisin the finder optical system, and a finder driving mechanism whichinterlocks the first zoom lens moving mechanism with the second zoomlens moving mechanism so that the observation zoom lens moves inaccordance with the movement of the picture-taking zoom lens of thepicture-taking optical system, wherein the finder driving mechanismincludes a driving-force transmitter movable in a specific directionother than the direction of the optical axis of the picture-takingoptical system.

In the camera described above, even though there is a variation inmounting dimensions between the picture-taking optical system and finderoptical system, a displacement in position due to this variation isabsorbed by the movement of the driving-force transmitter in thespecific direction. The driving-force transmitter (driving pin) can thusbe reliably fitted to a given position of the finder optical system.Consequently, both the picture-taking optical system and the finderoptical system can be properly assembled without strictly adjusting therelative position between these systems.

A camera according to the present invention comprises a picture-takinglens unit including a picture-taking optical system having apicture-taking zoom lens which is movable in the direction of theoptical axis and an optical finder unit including a finder opticalsystem having an observation zoom lens which is movable in the directionof an optical axis in association with the movement of thepicture-taking zoom lens of the picture-taking lens unit, wherein thepicture-taking lens unit further includes a driving-force transmitter(driving pin) which moves in the direction of the optical axis of thepicture-taking optical system as the picture-taking zoom lens moves inthe direction of the optical axis and which freely moves in a specificdirection other than the direction of the optical axis of the picturetaking optical system, and the optical finder unit further includes aguide section which restricts a movement of the driving-forcetransmitter in the specific direction in association with thedriving-force transmitter (driving pin) and allows the driving-forcetransmitter to move in the direction of the optical axis of thepicture-taking optical system, and a zoom lens moving mechanism whichmoves the observation zoom lens in accordance with the movement of thedriving-force transmitter, which is restricted by the guide section, soas to make a zoom ratio of the optical finder unit equal to a given zoomratio.

In the camera described above, even though there is a variation inmounting dimensions between the picture-taking optical system and finderoptical system, a displacement in position due to variation is absorbedby the movement of the driving-force transmitter in the specificdirection. The driving-force transmitter can be properly fitted to theguide section, which is correctly formed in advance at a given positionof the optical finder unit. Consequently, both the picture-taking lensunit and the optical finder unit can be properly assembled withoutmaking any special adjustment to a relative position between theseunits. Further, the movement of the driving-force transmitter in thespecific direction is restricted by the guide section very reliably.Consequently, a difference in zoom ratio between the picture-takingoptical system and the finder optical system can be prevented fromoccurring, and an observation function of the optical finder due to thedifference in zoom ratio can be prevented from deteriorating.

An optical finder according to the present invention comprises a finderoptical system having a plurality of movable lenses including anobservation zoom lens which is movable in the direction of the opticalaxis of the finder optical system, and a moving mechanism which movesthe plurality of movable lenses of the finder optical system inassociation with the movement of a picture-taking zoom lens of apicture-taking optical system, wherein the moving mechanism includes aplurality of driving plates which are stacked one on another such thatthe driving plates are rotatable, cam sections provided on the pluralityof driving plates, respectively and fitted to a driving-forcetransmitter which moves as the picture-taking zoom lens of thepicture-taking optical system moves, the cam sections converting amovement of the driving-force transmitter into a rotating operation ofeach of the driving plates, and movement operating sections which areprovided in the driving plates rotated by action of the cam sections tomove the plurality of moving lenses in the finder optical system.

In the optical finder described above, the plurality of driving platesare stacked one on another. The area of the driving plates occupied inan optical finder unit can thus be decreased, as compared with the casewhere a plurality of cam sections are arranged on a single drivingplate. Since, moreover, no gap is formed between the stacked drivingplates, there is no fear that the camera will increase in volume(thickness) even though a number of driving plates are used.Consequently, the second zoom lens moving mechanism of the opticalfinder can be reduced in size.

A camera according to the present invention comprises a picture-takinglens unit including a picture-taking optical system having a bendingoptical system, which optically bends light incident along the opticalaxis, and a plurality of movable lenses including a picture-taking zoomlens provided in a post-bending optical system of the bending opticalsystem, an optical finder unit including a finder optical system havinga plurality of movable lenses, including an observation zoom lens,provided along an optical axis of incident light parallel to an opticalaxis of the picture-taking lens unit, and a lens moving conjunctionwhich moves the plurality of movable lenses in association with thepicture-taking zoom lens, wherein the lens moving mechanism includes aplurality of driving plates stacked one on another in the optical finderunit such that distal ends thereof are rotated with regard to proximalends thereof, cam sections provided in the driving plates, respectively,and fitted to a driving-force transmitter (driving pin) which movestogether with the picture-taking zoom lens of the picture-taking opticalsystem, the cam sections converting a movement of the driving-forcetransmitter into a rotating operation of each of the driving plates, andmoving operating sections provided at respective distal ends of thedriving plates, which are rotated by action of the cam sections, themoving operating sections moving the movable lenses including theobservation zoom lens of the finder optical system.

In the above-described camera, the picture-taking lens unit and theoptical finder unit, including their respective bending optical systemseach having a zoom function can be downsized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a schematic external view showing a configuration of anelectronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an external, perspective view of an image pickup lens unitaccording to the embodiment of the present invention, from which a rearcover has been removed;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the image pickup lens unitaccording to the embodiment of the present invention, separated into amain mechanism, a zoom mechanism, and a rear cover;

FIG. 4A is a front, cross-sectional view of the principal part of theimage pickup lens unit according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, which is set in a wide-angle state;

FIG. 4B is a front, cross-sectional view of the principal part of theimage pickup lens unit according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, which is set in a telephoto state;

FIG. 5 is a top, cross-sectional view of the principal part of the imagepickup lens unit according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a side view showing a main part of a finder driving mechanismof the image pickup lens unit according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, together with a driving member;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view taken along line 6B-6B of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the image pickup lens unit and opticalfinder unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, whichare separated from each other in order to described a correlationbetween them;

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of a finderoptical system of the optical finder unit according to the embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, perspective view showing a configuration of anoptical finder unit according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a view showing a relationship (wide state) between a camlever and a plurality of movable lenses including an observation zoomlens in a finder optical system according to the embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a relationship (telephoto state) between a camlever and a plurality of movable lenses including an observation zoomlens in a finder optical system according to the embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a view showing a step of inserting a driving pin in a camsection using a pin-inserting notch according to the embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 13 is a graph schematically showing the relationship between theamount of movement of a driving pin and that of movement of a movablelens according to the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic camera body 1 incorporates apicture-taking lens unit 100 including a picture-taking optical system105 having an optical axis 011 of incident light and an optical finderunit 200 including a finder optical system 205. The units 100 and 200are coupled integrally as one component with a narrow spacetherebetween. As shown, the units 100 and 200 are located on the rightside of the camera body 1 when viewed from the front of the camera body.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the picture-taking lens unit 100 includes amain mechanism A and a zoom mechanism B. The mechanism B is mounted onthe mechanism A integrally as one component. The main mechanism Aincludes an optical-axis bending mechanism 110 and a lens barrel 120whose light-incident end is coupled to the mechanism 110.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5, the optical-axis bending mechanism110 includes a picture-taking lens 111, a prism 112, and a holdingmember 113. The holding member 113 holds the picture-taking lens 111 andprism 112. The light-emitting opening end of the holding member 113 iscoupled to the lens barrel 120. The optical-axis bending mechanism 110has a bending optical system 1PX that makes up the picture-takingoptical system 105. In other words, the picture-taking optical system105 includes the bending optical system 1Px.

The bending optical system 1PX reflects light, which is incident from anobject along the first optical axis (incident optical axis) 011, in adirection of a second optical axis 012 that is substantiallyperpendicular to the first optical axis 011 by the prism 112 serving asa reflecting member. The bending optical system along the first opticalaxis 011 is referred to as a pre-bending optical system 1PA and thebending optical system along the second optical axis 012 is referred toas a post-bending optical system 1PB.

The lens barrel 120 incorporates a picture-taking lens group including afirst lens 121, a second lens 122 (picture-taking zoom lens), and athird lens 123 (focus lens). The picture-taking lens group (first tothird lenses 121 to 123) is provided to allow an image of an object tobe formed on the basis of light incident from the light-incident end.The image formed by the picture-taking lens group is photoelectricallyconverted by an image pickup device 126 located at the termination ofthe optical axis of the lens barrel 120. The image pickup device 126 hasan input/output terminal series 173 (173 a, 173 b). An optical member130 including a fourth lens 124 and a low-pass filter 125 is arrangedalong the optical axis 012 and ahead of the light-receiving surface ofthe image pickup device 126.

As described above, the picture-taking lens group (first to third lenses121 to 123), the optical member 130 (fourth lens 124 and low-pass filter125), the image pickup device 126 are all arranged in the post-bendingoptical system 1PB formed along the second optical axis 012.

In the present embodiment, the picture-taking optical system 105includes the bending optical system 1PX to make up an optical system forelectronic cameras including the image pickup device 126 at thetermination of the second optical axis 012.

The first to third lenses 121 to 123 are held by first to third lensholding frames 131 to 133, respectively. The optical member 130including the fourth lens 124 and low-pass filter 125 is held by afourth holding frame 134. Of these holding frames, the second and thirdlens holding frames 132 and 133 are so arranged that they can be movedalong the optical axis 012 by a pair of guide shafts 171 and 172 (seeFIGS. 2 and 3). A shutter unit 160 is mounted ahead of the second lensholding frame 132. A driving source for driving the third lens holdingframe 133, or an AF (autofocus) motor 140 serving as an actuator ismounted behind the third lens holding frame 133.

A flexible printed board 150 (151, 152) for supplying power to a drivingsystem for the AF motor 140 and shutter unit 160 is introduced into thelens barrel 120 from outside. The flexible printed board 150 is shapedlike a band such that it can be bent in its thickness direction. The endportions of the flexible printed boards 151 and 152 introduced into thelens barrel 120 are bent like a letter “U” in the same direction atsubstantially the same portions and then fixed to the second and thirdlens holding frames 132 and 133, respectively. The end portion 151 a ofthe printed board 151 is electrically connected to a driving mechanism(not shown) of the shutter unit 160 and that 152 a of the printed board152 is electrically connected to the AF motor 140.

As depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a space SA1 capable of housing the AFmotor 140 is formed between the inner surface of the lens barrel 120 andone outer surface of the holding frame 134 (the upper surface thereof inFIGS. 4A and 4B) that holds the optical member 130 (fourth lens 124 andlow-pass filter 125). Further, a second space SA2 capable of housingportions 151 b and 152 b curved by bending the flexible printed boards151 and 152 is formed between the inner surface of the lens barrel 120and the other outer surface of the holding frame 134 (the lower surfacethereof in FIGS. 4A and 4B). The flexible printed boards 151 and 152 arehoused in such a manner that their bent portions 151 b and 152 b overlapwith each other in the second space SA2.

The first space SA1 and second space SA2 are formed in their respectivefirst and second regions E1 and E2. The first region E1 is located abovein the figures and the second region E2 is located below therein when aplane including the first and second optical axis 011 and 012 isconsidered to be a boundary between the regions E1 and E2.

The third lens holding frame 133 includes a limiting member 155. Thelimiting member 155 is used to limit a range within which the curvedportions 151 b and 152 b of the flexible printed boards 151 and 152 varywith the movement of the lens holding frame 132 and 133.

Returning to FIG. 3, the zoom mechanism B is provided as a unit that isdetachably coupled to the main mechanism A. The zoom mechanism Bincludes a first zoom lens moving mechanism (180 to 184, 191) and afinder driving mechanism (192, 193, etc.).

The first zoom lens moving mechanism has a zoom motor 180 serving as adriving source or an actuator mounted on a mounting frame 181, a leadscrew 182 that is rotated by the power of the zoom motor 180, and adriving member 191 that is driven by the lead screw 182 and slides alonga guide shaft 183 provided in parallel to the optical axis 012 to drivethe zoom lens 122.

The finder driving mechanism has a sliding member 192 that slides alongthe guide shaft 183 in accordance with the movement of the drivingmember 191 and a driving pin 193 that serves as a driving-forcetransmitter protruded from the sliding member 192. The sliding member192 is, as will be described later, coupled to the second lens holdingframe 132 through a spring 184. The finder driving mechanism will bedescribed in detail later.

The driving member 191, sliding member 192, and driving pin make up adisplacement transfer slider 190.

The zoom mechanism B is coupled to the main mechanism A integrally asone component by screwing the zoom mechanism B into screw holes 127 aand 127 b of the main mechanism A through mounting holes 185 a and 185 bformed in the mounting frame 181 of the zoom mechanism B.

A rear cover C is attached to the main mechanism integrally as onecomponent by securing a mounting screw 128 a into a screw hole 127 c ofthe main mechanism A through a mounting hole 128 b formed in aplate-like member 128.

When the zoom mechanism B is integrated with the main mechanism A as onecomponent, the zoom motor 180 is placed in the first region E1 togetherwith the AF motor 140. The zoom motor 180 is located outside the frontof the lens barrel 120 and close to the prism 112 within the firstregion E1. At least one of the first to third lenses 121 to 123 isdisposed between the AF motor 140 and the zoom motor 180.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing a configuration of the finder drivingmechanism (192, 193) of the picture-taking lens unit 100 together withthe driving member 191. FIG. 6A is a side view of the principal part ofthe finder driving mechanism and FIG. 6B is a perspective view takenalong line 6B-6B of FIG. 6A.

The finder driving mechanism is designed to interlock a second zoom lensmoving mechanism (240, 250, 270), which will be described later, withthe movement of the zoom lens 122 of the picture-taking optical system105 caused by the first zoom lens moving mechanism (180 to 184, 191) andmove a zoom lens 222 of the finder optical system 205.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the sliding member 192 is an L-shapedmember having two cylindrical legs 192 a and 192 c at the end portionsof one part thereof. The two legs 192 a and 192 c are located at a givendistance from each other and fitted to the guide shaft 183 such thatthey can sandwich a cylindrical leg 191 a of the driving member 191 fromboth ends. The legs 192 a and 192 c can freely slide in the axialdirection of the guide shaft 183 and rotate around the guide shaft 183.The sliding member 192 has an opening 192 b, which serves as a rotationrange limiting mechanism, in substantially the central part of the otherpart of the L-shaped sliding member 192. A projection 191 b formed onthe top of the driving member 191 is fitted into the opening 192 b witha given play.

Thus, the driving pin 193 can freely be moved in a specific directionother than the direction of the optical axis 012 (a directionperpendicular to the optical axis) within a give range of anglesindicated by a double-headed arrow M and N.

A projection piece 192 d is provided on the underside of the slidingmember 192. An extension spring 184 serving as an urging member isprovided between the projection piece 192 d and a projection piece 132 aof the second lens holding frame 132. Thus, the sliding member 192 iscompressed and coupled to the driving member 191 by the urging force ofthe extension spring 184 as indicated by arrow P.

Consequently, the sliding member 192 can be moved in the direction ofthe optical axis 012 along the guide shaft 183 in association with themovement of the driving member 191 while it is kept rotatable around theguide shaft 183 within a range of angles corresponding to the playdescribed above.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a correlation between thepicture-taking lens unit 100 and the optical finder unit 200, which areseparated from each other. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing aconfiguration of the finder optical system 205.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the picture-taking lens unit 100 includes acase 101. The case 101 incorporates the bending optical system 1PX. Thecase 101 has such an outside shape that length L11 is shorter thanlength L12. The length L11 is set in the direction parallel to theoptical axis 011 of the pre-bending optical system in the bendingoptical system 1PX (corresponding to the thickness direction of thecamera body 1). The length L12 is set in the direction parallel to theoptical axis 012 of the post-bending optical system in the bendingoptical system 1PX (corresponding to the width direction of the camerabody 1) perpendicular to the optical axis 011.

The optical finder unit 200 includes a case 201. The case 201incorporates the bending optical system 2PX. The optical axis of thefinder optical system 205 includes an optical axis 021 of incident lightin a pre-bending optical system 2PA having a lens group 206 and a bentoptical axis 022 including two reflections in a post-bending opticalsystem 2PB. The incident light passes through the lens group 206 and isbent by the reflection surface of the bending optical system 2PX. Thebent light is reflected two times, as shown in FIG. 8, by the action ofa lens and a prism (neither of which is shown) that specifically make upthe post-bending optical system 2PB and then goes into the eyes of aphotographer. The case 201 has such an outside shape that the length L21in the direction parallel to the optical axis 021 of incident light andthe length L22 in the direction perpendicular thereto are approximatedto their respective lengths L11 and L12 of the picture-taking lens unit100.

The optical finder unit 200 is fixedly placed on the top surface of thepicture-taking lens unit 100 with a narrow space therebetween. In otherwords, the optical finder unit 200 is screwed on finder-mounting bosses129 a and 129 b, which are projected from the top surface of the case101 of the picture-taking lens unit 100, through mounting holes 202 aand 202 b formed in the mounting section of the case 201.

Then, the optical finder unit 200 is coupled to the picture-taking lensunit 100 integrally as one unit such that the pre-bending optical system2PA and post-bending optical system 2PB of the finder optical system 205are arranged adjacent to the pre-bending optical system 1PA andpost-bending optical system 1PB of the picture-taking optical system105, respectively. In particular, the optical axis 021 of thepre-bending optical system 2PA in the finder optical system 205 islocated immediately above the optical axis 011 of the pre-bendingoptical system 1PA in the picture-taking optical system 105.

In the picture-taking lens unit 100, the lens group 106 is provided inthe post-bending optical system 1PB of the picture-taking optical system105. The lens group 106 includes the picture-taking zoom lens 122. Inthe optical finder unit 200, the lens group 206 is provided in thepre-bending optical system 2PA of the finder optical system 205. Thelens group 206 includes the zoom lens 222 for observation. The directionin which the zoom lens 122 moves is parallel to the width direction ofthe camera body 1, while the direction in which the zoom lens 222 movesis parallel to the thickness direction of the camera body 1. Thesedirections are perpendicular to each other.

When the picture-taking lens unit 100 and optical finder unit 200 arecompletely assembled into one unit, the driving pin 193 that protrudesfrom the top of the unit 100 is engaged with the second zoom lens movingmechanism (described later) in the unit 200 through an opening 263formed in the bottom of the case of the unit 200. In FIG. 7, referencenumeral 103 denotes a picture-taking lens window, 203 indicates a finderfront window, and 204 shows a finder eyepiece window.

FIG. 9 is an exploded, perspective view showing a configuration of theoptical finder unit 200. The optical finder unit 200 includes a unitbase 210, shown in the central part of FIG. 9, as a principal component.The unit base 210 includes a gutter-shaped housing recess 212 that iscapable of housing an optical component 220 that makes up the finderoptical system 205. Light is reflected a plurality of times at differentportions and snakes in the housing recess 212. The optical component 220includes a finder lens group 206, an optical-axis bending mechanism 224,and a barrel 225. The finder lens group 206 includes a first lens 221(1-O), a second lens (observation zoom lens) 222 (2T), and a third lens223 (3T). The barrel 225 includes the post-bending optical system 2PB.The opening of the housing recess 212 is closed with an upper cover 230.

A driving-pin guide section 213 having a linear groove, which isparallel to the optical axis 012 of the picture-taking lens unit 100, isprovided on the bottom of the unit base 210. The guide section 213 isengaged with the driving pin 193 of the picture-taking lens unit 100,which is shown in the lower end portion of FIG. 9, and restricts themovement of the driving pin 193 in the above-described specificdirection or the direction perpendicular to the optical axis 012. Thus,the driving-pin guide section 213 restricts the driving pin 193 that canfreely be moved within a given range of angles.

Cam levers 240 and 250, a supporting shaft 270, etc. of the second zoomlens moving mechanism are mounted on the underside of the unit base 210by a lever mounting plate 260. The lever mounting plate 260 has stopperpieces 262 a, 262 b and 262 c on its circumference. These stopper piecesare used for mounting and fixing the second zoom lens moving mechanism.

The second zoom lens mechanism (240, 250, 270) moves the observationzoom lens 222 of the finder optical system 205 in the direction of theoptical axis 021 of the system 205 in accordance with the movement ofthe driving pin 193 that is restricted by the guide section 213.

The second zoom lens moving mechanism (240, 250, 270) is so configuredthat the distal end portions of a plurality of cam levers (two camlevers 240 and 250 in the present embodiment) each made of a thin platecan be supported by the supporting shaft 270 and the end portionsthereof can be rotated.

The cam levers 240 and 250 are formed chiefly of driving plates 244 and245, respectively. The driving plates 244 and 245 have shaft holes 241and 251 at the distal end portions, respectively. These holes 241 and251 are supported by the supporting shaft 270 supported by both abearing 211 provided on the bottom of the unit base 210 and a bearing261 of the lever mounting plate 260. Thus, the driving plates 244 and254 are stacked one on another such that their end portions can berotated. The driving plates 244 and 254 have cam sections 243 and 253 ofarc-shaped slits in substantially the central parts of the drivingplates 244 and 254, respectively.

The driving pin 193 passes through the opening 263 of the lever mountingplate 260 and then through the cam sections 253 and 243. The end portionof the driving pin 193 is engaged with the driving-pin guide section 213of the linear groove.

As the driving pin 193 moves in the direction of the optical axis 012,the cam levers 240 and 250 rotate based on amounts of movementcorresponding to the shapes of the cam sections 243 and 253,respectively. Consequently, an amount of movement of the picture-takingzoom lens 122 of the picture-taking optical system 105 is converted tothat of movement of the lens group of the finder optical system 205. Theconverted movement amount is transferred to the second lens group 222and third lens group 223 by movement operating sections 242 and 252provided at their respective ends of the driving plates 244 and 254.

As a result, at least the displacement of the picture-taking lens 122 istransferred to the observation zoom lens 222 by the displacementtransfer mechanism (190, 240, 250, 270, etc.).

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views each showing a relationship between the camlevers 240 and 250 and a plurality of moving lenses (two moving lenses222 and 223 in the present embodiment) including an observation zoomlens in the finder optical system. FIG. 10 shows a wide-angle state andFIG. 11 shows a telephoto state.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the two moving lenses 222 and 223 areurged in opposite directions along the optical axis 021 of the finderoptical system 205, as indicated by a double-headed arrow, by means ofan urging member 284 in a compressed state. The movement operatingsections 242 and 252 of the cam levers 240 and 250 contact theirrespective lens moving frames 282 and 283, which are integrated withtheir respective moving lenses 222 and 223, so as to locate the movinglenses 222 and 223 in given positions against the urging force under thecontrol of the driving pin 193 engaged with each of the cam sections 243and 253.

In each of the cam sections 243 and 253 of the cam levers 240 and 250,one of both sides of a slit is considered to be a cam surface that iseffective in fulfilling a cam function. More specifically, in the camsection 243, one side (right side in FIGS. 10 and 11) in the directionof rotation against the urging force of the urging member 284 in thecompressed state is considered to be a cam surface. In the cam section253, one side (left side in FIGS. 10 and 11) in the direction ofrotation against the urging force of the urging member 284 in thecompressed state is also considered to be a cam surface. If, therefore,the driving pin 193 moves in the direction of the optical axis 012 (upand down directions in FIGS. 10 and 11), the moving lenses 222 and 223move in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the drivingpin 193.

Pin-inserting notches 243 a and 253 a are formed in the central parts ofthe sides opposed to the cam surfaces of the slit of the cam sections243 and 253, respectively. Each of the notches 243 a and 253 a is aportion of the slit that is widened to easily insert the driving pin 193therein at the time of assembly. In the present embodiment, the notches243 a and 253 a are substantially semicircular as depicted in FIGS. 10and 11. The semicircles of the two notches 243 a and 253 a are opposedto each other, and the notches are located at a radius of r of thesupporting shaft 270.

FIG. 12 shows a step of inserting the driving pin 193 in the cumsections 243 and 253 using the pin-inserting notches 243 a and 253 a. Asshown in FIG. 12, the rotation positions of the cam levers 240 and 250are finely adjusted to detect a position in which the two notches 243 aand 253 a are formed into a single circular hole. The single circularhole is so preset that its diameter is slightly larger than the outsidediameter of the driving pin 193. The driving pin 193 has only to beinserted into the slightly larger circular hole at the time of assembly.Consequently, the driving pin 193 can be inserted into the slit of thecam sections 243 and 253 very easily.

FIG. 13 is a graph schematically showing a relationship between anamount of movement of the driving pin 193 and that of movement of themoving lenses 222 and 223. Referring to FIG. 13, as the amount ofmovement of the driving pin 193 increases, both the moving lenses 222and 223 move at different rates of change as indicated by straight lineswhose slopes are different (actually nonlinear curves). Thus, the movinglenses 222 and 223 including the observation zoom lens 222 move so as tohave a given zoom ratio in association with the movement of thepicture-taking zoom lens 122.

Now, assuming that the driving pin 193 is displaced in a specificdirection perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis 012 due toan error in mounting position or the like, the displacement makes thezoom ratio of the finder optical system 205 inaccurate. Assuming thatthe driving pin 193 is displaced by +d in a specific direction from agiven position S1 as shown in FIG. 13, the moving lenses 222 and 223each move by a fixed amount +d. Consequently, a correlation in rate ofchange of movement between the two moving lenses 222 and 223 is impairedand the normal zoom ratio cannot be maintained.

In the present embodiment, however, the guide section 213 strictlyrestricts the displacement of the free driving pin 193 in a specificdirection. Thus, a relative-mounting error between the picture-takinglens unit 100 and the optical finder unit 200 is absorbed by the actionof the free driving pin 193, and the displacement of the driving pin 193in the specific direction is strictly restricted by the guide section213, with the result that there is no fear that the zoom ratio willbecome inaccurate.

Features of the Embodiment

[1] A camera according to the embodiment, comprises:

a picture-taking lens unit 100 including a picture-taking optical system105 having a bending optical system 1PX which optically bends incidentlight; and

optical system 205 having a bending optical system 2PX which opticallybends incident light,

wherein a pre-bending optical system 2PA and a post-bending opticalsystem 2PB in the bending optical system 2PX of the optical finder unit200 are arranged adjacent to a pre-bending optical system 1PA and apost-bending optical system 1PB in the bending optical system 1PX of thepicture-taking lens unit 100, respectively.

In the camera described above, both the picture-taking lens unit 100 andthe optical finder unit 200 are assembled into one unit such that thepre-bending optical systems 1PA and 2PA correspond to each other and thepost-bending optical systems 1PB and 2PB correspond to each other.Therefore, the body of the camera comprising the picture-taking lensunit 100 including the bending optical system 1PX and the optical finderunit 200 including the bending optical system 2PX can be made thin andcompact properly.

[2] A camera according to the embodiment, comprises:

a picture-taking lens unit 100 including a picture-taking optical system105 having a bending optical system 1PX which optically bends incidentlight; and

an optical finder unit 200 including a finder optical system 205 havinga bending optical system 2PX which optically bends incident light,

wherein the picture-taking lens unit 100 has such an outside shape thata length L11 thereof in a direction parallel to an optical axis 011 ofthe pre-bending optical system 1PA in the bending optical system 1PX isshorter than a length L12 thereof in a direction perpendicular to theoptical axis 011 of the pre-bending optical system 1PA,

the optical finder unit 200 has such an outside shape that a length L21thereof in a direction parallel to an optical axis 021 of thepre-bending optical system 2PA in the bending optical system 2PX and alength L22 thereof in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis 021of the pre-bending optical system 2PA are approximated to the lengthsL11 and L12, respectively, and

the picture-taking lens unit 100 and the optical finder unit 200 arearranged close to each other such that a pre-bending optical system 2PAand a post-bending optical system 2PB of the bending optical system 2PXin the finder optical system 205 are arranged adjacent to a pre-bendingoptical system 1PA and a post-bending optical system 1PB of the bendingoptical system 1PX in the picture-taking optical system 105,respectively.

In the foregoing camera, the picture-taking lens unit 100 and opticalfinder unit 200 have similar shapes and dimensions and are arrangedclose to each other. The camera, which is equipped with an opticalfinder having bending optical systems 1PX and 2PX, can be made compact.

[3] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in aboveparagraph [2], the optical axis 011 (optical axis of incident light) ofthe pre-bending optical system 1PA in the picture-taking optical system105 is parallel to the thickness direction of a camera body 1, and theoptical axis 012 of the post-bending optical system 1PB in thepicture-taking optical system 105 is parallel to the width direction ofthe camera body 1.

[4] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in aboveparagraph [3], the picture-taking lens unit 100 and the optical finderunit 200 are arranged such that the optical axis 021 (optical axis ofincident light) of the pre-bending optical system 2PA in the finderoptical system 205 is located immediately above the optical axis 011(optical axis of incident light) of the pre-bending optical system 1PAin the picture-taking optical system 105.

In the camera described above, the optical axis 011 in thepicture-taking optical system 105 and the optical axis 012 in the finderoptical system 205 are close to each other. A parallax therefore becomeslow.

[5] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in one of aboveparagraphs [3] and [4], the picture-taking lens unit 100 and the opticalfinder unit 200 are arranged on the right side of the camera body 1 whenviewed from the front of the camera.

[6] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in one of aboveparagraphs [1] to [5], the picture-taking optical system 105 of thepicture-taking lens unit 100 is an optical system for electronic cameraswhich includes an image pickup device 126 at the termination of theoptical axis 012 of the post-bending optical system 1PB of the bendingoptical system 1PX.

[7] A camera according to the embodiment, comprises:

a picture-taking lens unit 100 including a picture-taking optical system105 having a bending optical system 1PX which optically bends incidentlight and a picture-taking zoom lens 122 provided movably in thedirection of an optical axis 012; and an optical finder unit 200including a finder optical system 205 having a bending optical system2PX which optically bends incident light and an observation zoom lens222 provided movably in the direction of an optical axis 021,

wherein a pre-bending optical system 2PA and a post-bending opticalsystem 2PB in the bending optical system 2PX of the optical finder unit200 are arranged adjacent to a pre-bending optical system 1PA and apost-bending optical system 1PB in the bending optical system 1PX of thepicture-taking lens unit 100, respectively.

In the foregoing camera, the pre-bending optical systems 1PA and 2PA ofthe picture-taking lens unit 100 and optical finder unit 200 arearranged adjacent to each other, as are the post-bending optical systems1PB and 2PB thereof. No wasted space is therefore difficult to create atthe time of assembly of both the units 100 and 200, and the camera as awhole can be made thin and compact. This arrangement contributes to adownsizing of the camera including the bending optical systems 1PX and2PX and the zoom lenses 122 and 222.

[8] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in aboveparagraph [7], the picture-taking zoom lens 122 of the picture-takinglens unit 100 is provided in the post-bending optical system 1PB of thepicture-taking optical system 105, the observation zoom lens 222 of theoptical finder unit 200 is provided in the pre-bending optical system2PA of the finder optical system 205, and a displacement transfermechanism (190, 240, 250, 270) transfers a displacement of thepicture-taking zoom lens 122 to the observation zoom lens 222.

In the camera described above, the post-bending optical system 1PB ofthe picture-taking optical system 105 incorporates an optical system 106including the picture-taking zoom lens 122 which requires a relativelylarge space. The pre-bending optical system 2PA of the finder opticalsystem 205 incorporates an optical system 206 including the observationzoom lens 222 which requires a relatively small space. Thus, thepre-bending optical systems 1PA and 2PA of the picture-taking lens unit100 and optical finder unit 200 are both relatively short, and thepost-bending optical systems 1PB and 2PB thereof are relatively long.Consequently, the picture-taking lens unit 100 and optical finder unit200 have similar outside shapes and can thus be arranged withefficiency.

[9] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in aboveparagraph [8], the observation zoom lens 222 moves in a directionperpendicular to a direction in which the picture-taking zoom lens 122moves.

[10] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in aboveparagraph [9], the picture-taking zoom lens 122 moves in a directionparallel to the width direction of a camera body 1, and the observationzoom lens 222 moves in a direction parallel to the thickness directionof the camera body 1.

In the above-described camera, since the picture-taking zoom lens 122,which requires a relatively large stroke, moves in a direction parallelto the width direction of the camera body 1, it does not increase thethickness of the camera body 1. The camera can thus be thinned withoutany trouble.

The pre-bending optical system 2PA, which is an objective system for thefinder optical system 205, incorporates an optical system 206 includingthe observation zoom lens 222. Therefore, the camera requires noadditional optical components but can be made up of only the minimumoptical components, as compared with the case where the optical systemincluding the observation zoom lens 222 is provided in the post-bendingoptical system 2PB that is an eyepiece system for the finder opticalsystem 205. Since, moreover, the optical components can be held in aspace along the thickness direction of the camera body 1, which is notso large, they can be arranged with a good space factor.

[11] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in one ofabove paragraphs [7] to [10], the picture-taking optical system 105 ofthe picture-taking lens unit 100 is an optical system for electroniccameras which includes an image pickup device 126 at the termination ofthe optical axis 012 of the post-bending optical system 1PB of thebending optical system 1PX.

[12] A camera according to the embodiment, comprises:

a camera body 1;

a first zoom lens moving mechanism (180 to 184, 191) which moves apicture-taking zoom lens 122 of a picture-taking optical system 105 ofthe camera body 1 in the direction of an optical axis 012 of thepicture-taking optical system 105;

a second zoom lens moving mechanism (240, 250, 270) which moves anobservation zoom lens 222 of a finder optical system 205 of the camerabody 1 in the direction of an optical axis 021 of the finder opticalsystem 205; and

a finder driving mechanism (192, 193) which interlocks the first zoomlens moving mechanism (180 to 184, 191) with the second zoom lens movingmechanism (240, 250, 270) to move the observation zoom lens 222 inaccordance with the movement of the picture-taking zoom lens 122 of thepicture-taking optical system 105,

wherein the finder driving mechanism (192, 193) includes a driving-forcetransmitter (driving pin) 193 which is provided movably in a specificdirection other than the direction of the optical axis 012.

In the camera described above, even though there is a variation inmounting dimensions between the picture-taking optical system 105 andthe finder optical system 205, a displacement in position due to thevariation is absorbed by the movement of the driving-force transmitter193 in the specific direction. The driving-force transmitter 193 canthus reliably be fitted to a given position of the finder optical system205. Consequently, both the picture-taking optical system 105 and thefinder optical system 205 can be assembled properly without strictlyadjusting a relative position between these systems 105 and 205.

[13] In the camera according to the embodiment, describe in aboveparagraph [12], the specific direction is perpendicular to the opticalaxis.

[14] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in one ofabove paragraphs [12] and [13], the first zoom lens moving mechanism(180 to 184, 191) includes a guide shaft 183 provided in parallel to theoptical axis 012 of the picture-taking optical system 105 and a drivingmember (nut) 191 which slides along the guide shaft 183 to drive thezoom lens 122; and

the finder driving mechanism (192, 193) includes:

a sliding member 192 which is slidably fitted to the guide shaft 183 tomove in the direction of the optical axis 012 and rotate around theguide shaft 183 in association with the driving member (nut) 191, and

a driving-force transmitter (driving pin) 193 mounted on the slidingmember 192, which transmits the movement of the sliding member 192 tothe finder optical finder unit 200.

In the foregoing camera, since the driving-force transmitter (drivingpin) 193 is mounted on the sliding member 192 that is provided rotatablyaround the guide shaft 183, it can easily be moved in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis 012.

[15] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in aboveparagraph [14], the finder driving mechanism (192, 193) is compressed byan urging member (extension spring 184) and coupled to the first zoomlens moving mechanism (180 to 184, 191).

In the camera described above, the first zoom lens moving mechanism (180to 184, 191) and the finder driving mechanism (192, 193) are formedintegrally as one unit without any play between them. These mechanismscan thus be interlocked with each other smoothly.

[16] The camera according to the embodiment, described in one of aboveparagraphs [14] and [15], further comprises a limiting mechanism(projection 191 b and fitting hole 192 b) which limits a range of angleswithin which the finder driving mechanism (192, 193) rotates in aspecific direction by fitting part of the driving member (nut) 191 andpart of the sliding member 192 to each other with a given play.

In the foregoing camera, the range of angles is limited to apredetermined range that depends upon the amount of clearance of aportion at which the driving member and the sliding member are fitted toeach other. Thus, a useless rotating operation need not be performed tofacilitate an assembling operation. Since, moreover, the limitingmechanism can be formed only by fitting part of the driving member (nut)191 and that of the sliding member 192 to each other with a play, nospecial additional members are required, with the result that the cameracan be manufactured at low cost.

[17] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in one ofabove paragraphs [14] to [16], the sliding member 192 has legs 192 a and192 c at both ends thereof, the legs being fitted to the guide shaft 183such that the legs sandwich the driving member (nut) 191 from both endsin the direction of the optical axis 012.

In the camera described above, the driving member (nut) 191 and thesliding member 192 are coupled to each other such that the slidingmember 192 catches the driving member 191 from both ends. Aninterlocking operation between these members is therefore performed withreliability.

[18] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in one ofabove paragraphs [12] to [17], the first zoom lens moving mechanism (180to 184, 191) and the finder driving mechanism (192, 193) are provided asa zoom mechanism B which is detachably coupled to a main mechanism Aincluding the zoom lens 122 of the camera body 1.

In the above-described camera, the first zoom lens moving mechanism (180to 184, 191) and the finder driving mechanism (192, 193) are each formedas a unit; therefore, they are excellent in their assembly andmaintenance.

[19] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in aboveparagraph [18], the first zoom lens moving mechanism (180 to 184, 191)includes a driving source (zoom motor) 180, a lead screw 182 which isrotated by power of the driving source 180, and a driving member (nut)191 which is driven by the lead screw 182 to move the zoom lens 122 ofthe picture-taking optical system 105 in the direction of the opticalaxis 012 of the picture-taking optical system 105.

[20] A camera according to the embodiment, comprises:

a picture-taking lens unit 100 including a picture-taking optical system105 having a picture-taking zoom lens 122 which is movable in thedirection of an optical axis 012; and

an optical finder unit 200 including a finder optical system 205 havingan observation zoom lens 222 which is movable in the direction of anoptical axis 021 in association with the movement of the picture-takingzoom lens 122 of the picture-taking lens unit 100,

wherein the picture-taking lens unit 100 further includes adriving-force transmitter (driving pin) 193 which moves in the directionof the optical axis 012 as the picture-taking zoom lens 122 moves in thedirection of the optical axis 012 and which freely moves in a specificdirection other than the direction of the optical axis, and

the optical finder unit 200 further includes:

a guide section 213 which restricts the movement of the driving-forcetransmitter 193 in the specific direction and allows the driving-forcetransmitter to move in the direction of the optical axis 012; and

a second zoom lens moving mechanism (240, 250, 270) which moves theobservation zoom lens 222 in accordance with the movement of thedriving-force transmitter (driving pin) 193, which is restricted by theguide section 213, so as to make a zoom ratio of the optical finder unit200 equal to a given zoom ratio.

In the foregoing camera, even though there is a variation in mountingdimensions between the picture-taking optical system 105 and the finderoptical system 205, a displacement in position due to the variation isabsorbed by the movement of the driving-force transmitter (driving pin)193 in the specific direction. The driving-force transmitter (drivingpin) 193 can properly be fitted to the guide section 213 which iscorrectly formed in advance in a given position of the optical finderunit 200. Consequently, both the picture-taking lens unit 100 and theoptical finder unit 200 can be assembled properly without making anyspecial adjustment to a relative position between these units 100 and200. Further, the movement of the driving-force transmitter (drivingpin) 193 in the specific direction is restricted by the guide section213 with very reliability. Consequently, a difference in zoom ratiobetween the picture-taking optical system 105 and the finder opticalsystem 205 can be prevented from occurring, and an observation functionof the optical finder due to the difference in zoom ratio can beprevented from deteriorating.

[21] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in aboveparagraph [20], the guide section 213 is a groove formed in a case 210of the optical finder unit 200 in parallel to the optical axis 012 ofthe picture-taking lens unit 100,

the second zoom lens moving mechanism (240, 250, 270) includes camlevers 240 and 250 having cam sections 243 and 253 which convert anamount of movement of the driving-force transmitter 193 into an amountof movement of the observation zoom lens 222 of the optical finder unit200, the cam levers 240 and 250 rotating around a supporting shaft 270,and

the driving-force transmitter (driving pin) 193 are fitted into both theguide section 213 and the cam sections 243 and 253.

[22] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in aboveparagraph [21], the driving-force transmitter (driving pin) 193 passesthrough the cam sections 243 and 253 formed in the cam levers 240 and250 as openings (arc-shaped slits) such that an end portion of thedriving-force transmitter is fitted into the groove of the guide section213.

In the camera described above, the cam levers 240 and 250 can correctlybe rotated through a relative movement between the single driving-forcetransmitter (driving pin) 193 guided by the groove of the guide section213 and the cam sections 243 and 253 through which the driving-forcetransmitter 193 passes. The camera can thus be configured simply andcompactly.

[23] In the camera according to the embodiment, described in aboveparagraph [22], the cam levers 240 and 250 whose number corresponds tothat of a plurality of zoom lenses 222 and 223 which move differentlyfrom each other in the finder optical system 205 are stacked, and thedriving-force transmitter (driving pin) 193 is provided so as to passthrough the cam sections 243 and 253 of the cam levers 240 and 250.

In the above-described camera, the cam sections 243 and 253 eachcorresponding to a zoom lens to be driven have only to be formed intheir respective cam levers 240 and 250. The camera is therefore simplein configuration and easy to manufacture.

[24] An optical finder according to the embodiment comprises a finderoptical system 205 having a plurality of moving lenses 222 and 223including an observation zoom lens 222 which is movable in the directionof an optical axis 021, and a moving mechanism which moves the pluralityof moving lenses 222 and 223 of the finder optical system 205 inassociation with the movement of a picture-taking zoom lens 122 of apicture-taking optical system 105,

wherein the moving mechanism includes:

a plurality of driving plates 244 and 254 which are stacked one onanother such that the driving plates are rotatable;

cam sections 243 and 253 provided on the plurality of driving plates 244and 254, respectively and fitted to a driving-force transmitter (drivingpin) 193 which moves as the picture-taking zoom lens 122 of thepicture-taking optical system 105 moves, the cam sections 243 and 253converting a movement of the driving-force transmitter 193 into arotating operation of each of the driving plates 244 and 254; and

movement operating sections 242 and 252 which are provided in thedriving plates 244 and 254 rotated by action of the cam sections 243 and253 to move the plurality of moving lenses 222 and 223 in the finderoptical system 205.

In the optical finder described above, the plurality of driving plates244 and 254 are stacked one on another. The area of the driving platesoccupied in an optical finder unit 200 can thus be decreased, ascompared with the case where a plurality of cam sections are arranged ona single driving plate. Since, moreover, no gap is formed between thestacked driving plates 244 and 254, there is no fear that the camerawill increase in volume (thickness) even though a number of drivingplates are used. Consequently, the second zoom lens moving mechanism(240, 250, 270) of the optical finder can be reduced in size.

[25] In the optical finder according to the embodiment, described inabove paragraph [24], the plurality of cam sections 243 and 253 arefitted in common to a single driving-force transmitter (driving pin)193.

[26] In the optical finder according to the embodiment, described inabove paragraph [25], the plurality of driving plates 244 and 254 rotatearound the same axis.

In the foregoing optical finder, the second zoom lens moving mechanism(240, 250, 270) are simple in configuration and the area thereofoccupied in the optical finder unit 200 can be decreased.

[27] In the optical finder described in one of above paragraphs [24] to[26], the plurality of moving lenses 222 and 223 are urged in directionsopposite to each other along the optical axis 021 by an urging member284 and moved to respective positions against an urging force by themoving operating sections 242 and 252 of the plurality of driving plates244 and 255.

[28] In the optical finder according to the embodiment, described inabove paragraph [27], the cam sections 243 and 253 of the driving plates244 and 254 each have a cam surface, the cam surface corresponding toone of both sides of a slit formed in each of the driving plates 244 and254, the one of both sides being located in the direction of rotation ofthe driving plates 244 and 254 against the urging force.

In the foregoing optical finder, one side of a slit, which is located inthe direction of rotation of the driving plates 244 and 254 against theurging force, is considered to be a cam surface for controlling aposition of the rotation of the driving plates 244 and 254. Therefore,the movement of the moving lenses 222 and 223 can be controlled withvery high precision.

[29] In the optical finder according to the embodiment, described in oneof above paragraphs [24] to [28], the moving operating sections 242 and252 are provided at respective distal ends of the plurality of drivingplates 244 and 254 which are rotated by action of the cam sections 243and 253.

In the above optical finder, the plurality of moving lenses 222 and 223can be moved with efficiency.

[30] In the optical finder according to the embodiment, described inabove paragraph [28], the cam sections 243 and 253 include wide notches243 a and 253 a through which the driving-force transmitter (drivingpin) 193 is inserted, each of the notches 243 a and 253 a being formedin part of the side opposed to the cam surface of the slit.

In the optical finder described above, the driving-force transmitter(driving pin) 193 can easily be fitted into the cam sections 243 and 253of the plurality of driving plates 244 and 254. The assembling operationis therefore simplified.

[31] In the optical finder according to the embodiment, described in oneof above paragraphs [24] to [30], the plurality of moving lenses 222 and223 move in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which thedriving-force transmitter (driving pin) 193 moves.

[32] A camera comprises:

a picture-taking lens unit 100 including a picture-taking optical system105 having a bending optical system 1PX which optically bends incidentlight and a plurality of moving lenses 122 and 123 including apicture-taking zoom lens 122 provided in a post-bending optical system1PB of the bending optical system 1PX;

an optical finder unit 200 including a finder optical system 205 havinga plurality of moving lenses 222 and 223 including an observation zoomlens 222 provided along an optical axis 021 of incident light parallelto an optical axis 011 of the picture-taking lens unit 100; and

a lens moving mechanism which moves the plurality of moving lenses 222and 223 in association with the picture-taking zoom lens 122,

wherein the lens moving mechanism includes:

a plurality of driving plates 244 and 254 which are stacked one onanother in the optical finder unit 200 such that the distal ends thereofare rotated with regard to the proximal ends thereof;

cam sections 243 and 253 provided in the driving plates 244 and 254,respectively and fitted to a driving-force transmitter (driving pin) 193which moves together with the picture-taking zoom lens 122 of thepicture-taking optical system 105, the cam sections 243 and 253converting a movement of the driving-force transmitter 193 into arotating operation of each of the driving plates 244 and 254; and

moving operating sections 242 and 252 provided at the respective distalends of the driving plates 244 and 254, which are rotated by action ofthe cam sections 243 and 253, the moving operating sections 242 and 252moving the moving lenses 222 and 223 including the observation zoom lens222 of the finder optical system 205.

In the above-described camera, the picture-taking lens unit 100 and theoptical finder unit 200 including their respective bending opticalsystems 1PX and 2PX each having a zoom function can be downsized.

[33] A picture-taking lens unit 100 according to the embodiment,comprises:

a lens barrel 120 having a light-incident end;

a picture-taking lens group (first to third lenses 121 to 123) which isprovided so as to form an image of an object based on light incidentfrom the light-incident end of the lens barrel 120;

an image pickup device 126 provided in the lens barrel 120 tophotoelectrically convert the image of the object formed by thepicture-taking lens group (first to third lenses 121 to 123);

an optical member 130 (fourth lens 124 and low-pass filter 125) arrangedalong an optical axis of the picture-taking lens group (first to thirdlenses 121 to 123) and ahead of a light-receiving surface of the imagepickup device 126;

a lens holding frame (second and third lens frames 132 and 133) whichholds a specific lens (second and third lenses 122 and 133) of thepicture-taking lens group (first to third lenses 121 to 123), the lensholding frame being provided movably along the optical axis 012 of thepicture-taking lens group (first to third lenses 121 to 123); and

an actuator (AF motor 140) mounted on the lens holding frame (third lensframe 133), which controls a movement of the lens holding frame (thirdlens frame 133),

wherein a space SA1 which houses the actuator (AF motor 140) is formedbetween an inner surface of the lens barrel 120 and one outer surface ofthe optical member 130 (fourth lens 124 and low-pass filter 125).

In the above picture-taking lens unit 100, since the space SA1 is usedto house the actuator (AF motor 140), the space in the lens barrel 120is effectively used, which contributes to a downsizing and thinning ofthe unit.

[34] The picture-taking lens unit 100 according to the embodiment,described in above paragraph [33], further comprises a band-shapedflexible printed board 150 which is bent in a thickness direction andprovided to supply power to a driving system including the actuator (AFmotor 140), and

wherein a first space SA1 which houses the actuator (AF motor 140) isformed between an inner surface of the lens barrel 120 and one outersurface of the optical member 130 (fourth lens 124 and low-pass filter125), and

a second space SA2 which houses a portion curved by bending the flexibleprinted board 150 is formed between the inner surface of the lens barrel120 and the other outer surface of the optical member 130 (fourth lens124 and low-pass filter 125).

In the foregoing picture-taking lens unit 100, the first and secondspaces SA1 and SA2 are formed between the inner surface of the lensbarrel 120 and both the outer surfaces of the optical member 130 (fourthlens 124 and low-pass filter 125) to house the actuator (AF motor 140)and the curved portion of the flexible printed board 150. Therefore, thespace in the lens barrel 120 is used more effectively and the unit 100can be further downsized and thinned.

[35] The picture-taking lens unit 100 according to the embodiment,described in one of above paragraphs [33] and [34], further comprises apicture-taking optical system 105 including a bending optical system 1PXwhich reflects light incident from the object along a first optical axis011 in a direction of a second optical axis 012, which is substantiallyperpendicular to the first optical axis 011, by a reflecting member(prism 112, etc.),

wherein the picture-taking lens group (first to third lenses 121 to123), the optical member 130 (fourth lens 124 and low-pass filter 125),and the image pickup device 126 are arranged along the second opticalaxis 012.

The same advantages as those of the picture-taking lens unit 100described in above paragraph [33] or [34] are obtained from the abovepicture-taking lens unit 100 comprising a picture-taking optical system105 including a bending optical system 1PX.

[36] The picture-taking lens unit 100 according to the embodiment,described in above paragraphs [34], further comprises a picture-takingoptical system 105 including a bending optical system 1PX which reflectslight incident from the object along a first optical axis 011 in adirection of a second optical axis 012, which is substantiallyperpendicular to the first optical axis 011, by a reflecting member(prism 112, etc.),

wherein the picture-taking lens group (first to third lenses 121 to123), the optical member 130 (fourth lens 124 and low-pass filter 125),and the image pickup device 126 are arranged along the second opticalaxis 012, and

the first space SA1 and the second space SA2 are formed in a firstregion E1 and a second region E2, respectively when a plane includingthe first and second optical axes 011 and 012 is considered to be aboundary between the first and second regions E1 and E2.

The same advantages as those of the lens unit 100 described in aboveparagraph [34] are obtained more reliably from the picture-taking lensunit 100 comprising a picture-taking optical system including a bendingoptical system 1PX. Consequently, when the lens unit is applied to anelectronic camera, the camera body 1 can be compacted more reliably.

[37] In the picture-taking lens unit 100 according to the embodiment,described in one of above paragraphs [34] and [36], the flexible printedboard 150 includes a plurality of flexible printed boards 151 and 152,and the printed boards 151 and 152 are bent in the same direction atsubstantially the same portions thereof to form curved portions 151 band 152 b, the curved portions 151 b and 152 b overlapping with eachother in the second space SA2.

In the above picture-taking lens unit 100, the curved portions 151 b and152 b caused by bending the flexible printed boards 151 and 152 arehoused together in the second space SA2. Thus, as compared with the casewhere the flexible printed boards 151 and 152 are housed separately, thespace of the barrel can be used effectively and the picture-taking lensunit 100 can be downsized and thinned.

[38] In the picture-taking lens unit 100 according to the embodiment,described in one of above paragraphs [34], [36] and [37], one endportions 151 a and 152 a of the flexible printed boards 151 a and 152 aare fixed in a given position of the lens holding frames 132 and 133,respectively, and a limiting member 155 is provided to limit a rangewithin which the curved portions 151 b and 152 b of the flexible printedboards 151 and 152 vary with a movement of the lens holding frames 132and 133.

In the picture-taking lens unit 100 described above, even though theflexible printed boards 151, 152 are bent greatly as the lens holdingframes 132 and 133 moves, the limiting member 155 limits the movement ofthe curved portions 151 b and 152 b of the flexible printed boards 151and 152 to a predetermined range. Thus, there is no fear that part ofthe flexible printed boards 151 and 152 goes into an optical path of thepicture-taking optical system 105 to block the optical path.

[39] A picture-taking lens unit 100 according to the embodiment,including a picture-taking optical system 105 having a bending opticalsystem 1PX which reflects light incident from an object along a firstoptical axis 011 in a direction of a second optical axis 012, which issubstantially perpendicular to the first optical axis 011, by areflecting member (prism 112, etc.), comprises:

a lens barrel 120 having a light-incident end;

a picture-taking lens group (first to third lenses 121 to 123) includingat least a zoom lens group (second lens 122) and a focus lens group(third lens 123) and provided to form an image of the object based onlight incident from the light-incident end of the lens barrel 120;

an image pickup device 126 provided in the lens barrel 120 tophotoelectrically convert the image of the object formed by thepicture-taking lens group (first to third lenses 121 to 123);

an optical member 130 (fourth lens 124 and low-pass filter 125) arrangedalong an optical axis 012 of the picture-taking lens group (first tothird lenses 121 to 123) and ahead of a light-receiving surface of theimage pickup device 126;

a zoom actuator (zoom motor) 180 to drive a zoom lens group (second lens122) of the picture-taking lens group (first to third lenses 121 to123); and

a focus actuator (AF motor 140) to drive a focus lens group (third lens123) of the picture-taking lens group (first to third lenses 121 to123),

wherein a space which houses the focus actuator (AF motor 140) is formedbetween an inner surface of the lens barrel 120 and one outer surface ofthe optical member 130 (fourth lens 124 and low-pass filter 125).

[40] In the picture-taking lens unit 100 according to the embodiment,described in above paragraph [39], the zoom actuator (zoom motor) 180and the focus actuator (AF motor) 140 are located in a first region E1having a boundary corresponding to a plane including the first andsecond optical axes 011 and 012, and at least one lens of thepicture-taking lens group (first to third lenses 121 to 123) is locatedbetween the zoom actuator (zoom motor) 180 and the focus actuator (AFmotor) 140.

In the picture-taking lens unit 100 described above, the zoom actuator(zoom motor) 180 and the focus actuator (AF motor) 140 are properlyarranged in the lens barrel 120. The space in the lens barrel 120 canthus be used effectively.

[41] In the picture-taking lens unit 100 according to the embodiment,described in above paragraph [40], the zoom actuator (zoom motor) 180 islocated outside the front of the lens barrel 120 and close to thereflecting member (prism 112, etc.) within the first region E1.

The foregoing picture-taking lens unit 100 can be decreased in thelength in the direction of the second optical axis 012 and thusdownsized.

[42] An electronic camera according to the embodiment, comprises thepicture-taking lens unit 100 described in one of above paragraphs [33]to [41].

(Modifications)

The camera according to the embodiment includes the followingmodifications:

The camera includes a cam section whose cam surface is formed along oneedge of a cam lever.

The camera includes a guide section formed of a guide slit.

The camera employs a mirror as a reflecting member of a bending opticalsystem.

1. A picture-taking lens unit comprising: a lens barrel having alight-incident end; a picture-taking lens group which is provided so asto form an image of an object based on light incident from thelight-incident end of the lens barrel; an image pickup device providedin the lens barrel to photoelectrically convert the image of the objectformed by the picture-taking lens group; an optical member arrangedalong an optical axis of the picture-taking lens group and ahead of alight-receiving surface of the image pickup device; a lens holding framewhich holds a specific lens of the picture-taking lens group, the lensholding frame being provided movably along the optical axis of thepicture-taking lens group; and an actuator mounted on the lens holdingframe, which controls a movement of the lens holding frame, wherein aspace which houses the actuator is formed between an inner surface ofthe lens barrel and one outer surface of the optical member.
 2. Thepicture-taking lens unit according to claim 1, further comprising aband-shaped flexible printed board which is bent in a thicknessdirection and provided to supply power to a driving system including theactuator, and wherein a first space which houses the actuator is formedbetween an inner surface of the lens barrel and one outer surface of theoptical member, and a second space which houses a portion curved bybending the flexible printed board is formed between the inner surfaceof the lens barrel and the other outer surface of the optical member. 3.The picture-taking lens unit according to claim 1, further comprising apicture-taking optical system including a bending optical system whichreflects light incident from the object along a first optical axis in adirection of a second optical axis, which is substantially perpendicularto the first optical axis, by a reflecting member, and wherein thepicture-taking lens group, the optical member, and the image pickupdevice are arranged along the second optical axis.
 4. The picture-takinglens unit according to claim 2, further comprising a picture-takingoptical system including a bending optical system which reflects lightincident from the object along a first optical axis in a direction of asecond optical axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the firstoptical axis, by a reflecting member, and wherein the picture-takinglens group, the optical member, and the image pickup device are arrangedalong the second optical axis.
 5. The picture-taking lens unit accordingto claim 2, further comprising a picture-taking optical system includinga bending optical system which reflects light incident from the objectalong a first optical axis into a direction of a second optical axis,which is substantially perpendicular to the first optical axis, by areflecting member, and wherein the picture-taking lens group, theoptical member, and the image pickup device are arranged along thesecond optical axis, and the first space and the second space are formedin a first region and a second region, respectively when a planeincluding the first and second optical axes and is considered to be aboundary between the first and second regions.
 6. The picture-takinglens unit according to claim 2, wherein the flexible printed boardincludes a plurality of flexible printed boards, and the printed boardsare bent in a same direction at substantially same portions thereof toform curved portions, the curved portions overlapping with each other inthe second space.
 7. The picture-taking lens unit according to claim 2,wherein one end portion of the flexible printed board is fixed in agiven position of the lens holding frame, and a limiting member isprovided to limit a range within which the curved portions of theflexible printed board vary with a movement of the lens holding frame.8. The picture-taking lens unit according to claim 6, wherein one endportion of the flexible printed board is fixed in a given position ofthe lens holding frame, and a limiting member is provided to limit arange within which the curved portions of the flexible printed boardvary with a movement of the lens holding frame.
 9. A picture-taking lensunit including a picture-taking optical system having a bending opticalsystem which reflects light incident from an object along a firstoptical axis in a direction of a second optical axis, which issubstantially perpendicular to the first optical axis, by a reflectingmember, the picture-taking lens unit comprising: a lens barrel having alight-incident end; a picture-taking lens group including at least azoom lens group and a focus lens group and provided to form an image ofthe object based on light incident from the light-incident end of thelens barrel; an image pickup device provided in the lens barrel tophotoelectrically convert the image of the object formed by thepicture-taking lens group; an optical member arranged along an opticalaxis of the picture-taking lens group and ahead of a light-receivingsurface of the image pickup device; a zoom actuator to drive a zoom lensgroup of the picture-taking lens group; and a focus actuator to drive afocus lens group of the picture-taking lens group, wherein a space whichhouses the focus actuator is formed between an inner surface of the lensbarrel and one outer surface of the optical member.
 10. Thepicture-taking lens unit according to claim 9, wherein the zoom actuatorand the focus actuator are located in a first region having a boundarycorresponding to a plane including the first and second optical axis,and at least one lens of the picture-taking lens group is locatedbetween the zoom actuator and the focus actuator.
 11. The picture-takinglens unit according to claim 10, wherein the zoom actuator is locatedoutside the front of the lens barrel and close to the reflecting memberwithin the first region.
 12. An electronic camera comprising thepicture-taking lens unit according to claim
 1. 13. An electronic cameracomprising the picture-taking lens unit according to claim 9.